Warwickshire College rated ‘good’ by Ofsted inspectors

Warwickshire College has been rated ‘good’ by education watchdog Ofsted – but has fared less well than when it was last inspected.

Warwickshire College Group, which has a £33 million site in Technology Drive, Rugby, was inspected last month. The college had been graded ‘outstanding’ - the highest of four possible ratings - at its previous inspection.

The report stated that “not enough learners on programmes at level three made better than expected progress and too few apprentices achieved within the planned timescale”.

It also stated: “Meaningful external work experience was not available for all learners aged 16 to 19 on the study programme and the success of learners taking English and mathematics qualifications was too low.”

But the college was praised for its work with industry, with inspectors stating: “Links with local employers and the local enterprise partnerships have enabled the college to grow its provision to meet local and regional needs very closely, and have led to the development of new courses and increased opportunities for learners to become familiar with industry”.

Its services across the majority of subject areas were said to be good, and students made good progress to higher education.

Interim principal and chief executive officer Sue Georgious said: “The report shows that not only do our students achieve well at college, but we also prepare them so that they progress successfully to employment or higher education.

“The inspectors also highlighted that our students feel safe, our staff feel supported and that the college has an inclusive ethos that is respectful of everyone.

“The report also identifies areas where we have to improve, but we are very aware of this and have already made changes which are having a positive impact with our students.”